From protestor to high profile designer – Who is Dudley artist behind Greggs inspired jewellery?
He's the artist from Dudley who has designed a five piece 22-carat gold range
But who is Dion Kitson?
An artist, designer, protestor and activator, he is a 22-year-old artist born in Dudley whose portfolio of work spans sculpture, film, collage, text-art, and sound.
This is far from the first time he has designed jewellery or clothing featuring items available on the street. Cigarettes as well as kebabs and other foods like Haribo sweets and Monster Munch crisps feature in his collection.
And they don't come cheap. Cigarette socks for sale on his website start at £30 on his website and 'Council House of Kebab' t-shirts retail at £40, with a gold Haribo ring £60 and a Monster Munch one £100.
His 'Council House of Kitson' page boasts items as 'Made in Dudley at London prices.'
He also appears on the Hypha Studios website which boast of 'Bringing artists and culture to our high streets.'
On his profile it says: "Dion Kitson is an artist born in Dudley and his portfolio spans sculpture, film, collage, text-art, and sound.
"Dion is using the space as a gallery to show artists from the West Midlands and to show his own work and archive.
"Having graduated in 2020 with BA Fine Art from Birmingham School of Art, he has since been awarded numerous prizes, including the Tate prize and the ACS studio prize."
He has previously exhibited his work in London at an art car boot fair in Brick Lane and a 'Sunday in the Park' display gallery in Holborn as well as appearing nationwide in Durham and Bath.
Last year he was one of a large group of protestors at the former Crooked House pub who met after the famous wonky hostelry was destroyed by fire then bulldozed, provoking outcry from the Black Country community.
He called on famous figures from the area to back a campaign, telling the Express and Star: "It's a travesty. I want Lenny Henry, Noddy Holder, Ozzy Osbourne, big Sam Allardyce, and Wagner from X-Factor 2010, to get down here and do a fundraising gig - like Dudley Live Aid 2023.
"This pub is a personification of the Black Country. This pub has stood since the 17th century. It survived the Industrial Revolution, the people of Dudley invented the Industrial Revolution, and this pub has been with us throughout it all.
"This has got to be a catalyst - a landmark case for this never to happen again."
And it was not the first time he had been involved in a campaign. Way back in 2005 aged ten he was part of a group of youngsters who were photographed in the Express and Star protesting outside Dudley Council House at the propose closure of Brierley Hill baths.
With prices in the 'Baked in Gold' collection from Gregg's starting at £36 and set to be given a valuable presence at London Fashion Week which starts today (Thursday), it seems like the self styled 'Council House' artist from Dudley has arrived in the big time.